The Visit Willits Tourism Board took a big risk in hosting a brand new event last Saturday, Oct. 20. But, even though the post-bypass city of Willits has been on shaky ground in recent months, a team of talented, dedicated volunteers and businesses created two successful events – Wild Willits Fest and Taste the Harvest – that may soon reestablish Willits as a destination spot.

The 5k, 10k and half marathon road race attracted 130 registered runners from Mendocino County, Santa Rosa, Sacramento and the Bay Area, plus approximately 40 runners aged 10 years and under who got to participate for free. Race director Evan Schmidtke said the original goal for the first year of Wild Willits Fest was to “get 50 runners from the local area.” But, he said, “As the race date got closer, we realized 75 might be a good stretch goal. Never in our ‘wildest’ dreams did we think 130 runners would show up and run.”

Seven competitors served up appetizer bites during the Taste the Harvest food competition held in conjunction with Wild Willits Fest on Oct. 20. Photo by Aura Whittaker

Local businesses and groups formed teams and wore matching t-shirts or Halloween costumes. Families came out pushing strollers and walking dogs. Teens and seasoned runners used the road race as an opportunity to push their limits. Along the course, neighbors greeted neighbors, old friends caught up on the latest news, and perfect strangers gave each other thumbs up and words of encouragement. One runner even used the 5k race to train for her job in the Army Reserves by wearing a 40-pound backpack.

Mendo Life Nutrition wellness coach Jessica Knight-Graham said, “I’m glad that Willits is bringing more stuff for us to do locally.”

Bryan Christensen shows his son Hayden his first place medal for the Wild Willits Fest 5K. Photo by Aura Whittaker

After the race, guests visited vendors booths such as Abundant Health Acupuncture and Herbs, Natural Healthcare Practitioners, Alive Retreats, Caring Kitchen Project, Tree of Life Midwifery Services, Walk/Bike Mendocino, Healthy Mendocino, California Mentor, Friends of the Eel River, and various arts and crafts booths. Children sang songs at the Cotton Hoedown with Marjo Wilson, built boats with the Boy Scouts and raced derby cars. Adventurous eaters headed over to the Taste the Harvest food competition pavilion for a complimentary glass of wine and sample of local whiskey to wash down the tasty bites.

Alive Retreats chef Jamil Downing puts the finishing touches on his raw, vegan hummus and homemade cracker appectizer that won the Taste the Harvest food competition. Photo by Aura Whittaker

Seven competitors served up appetizers featuring the required ingredient, apples, in hopes of winning the title of champion and landing a feature in Word of Mouth Magazine. Roots Cafe offered smoked salmon with apple fennel slaw, Nurturing Seed made potato-apple latkes, New Agrarian Collective served apple pulled pork with bread and apple coleslaw, Mariposa Market made onion and apple focaccia tarts, Green Uprising Farm served vegetarian piccadillo, The Big Chief/Happy Day Farm offered chicken apple sausage, and Alive Retreats handed out raw hummus and handmade crackers.

And the prize goes to… Alive Retreats chef Jamil Downing who made the only raw, vegan appetizer bite. Downing said he’s had “a food passion for a long time” and presently works as a cook and chef, but did not go to cooking school.

“I wouldn’t say I’m classically trained but experience counts for a lot…” said Downing. “(The competition is) a lot of fun. This is the first time I’ve ever competed or participated so I’m pretty excited. It’s really great to see a lot of people out eating and trying different food, especially good local food, which I really appreciate.”

Lead event organizer Haley Schmidtke said she is already developing ideas and getting input to make Wild Willits Fest bigger and better next year. “We’re very happy… We’re happy that everyone who’s had an experience so far is having a great time.. We exceeded expectations.” said Schmidtke. “We are just a few years away from being a hip little town. We just need a little money and infrastructure.”

Aura Whittaker has been in the newspaper business for about a decade. She learned the craft from the ground up as a proof reader and photo editor. and eventually put her health and fitness background to good use in a wellness column. After a move to Mendocino in 2015, she began freelance reporting for The Willits News and stepped up as city editor in 2018.